Folding table



July 3, 192s.

W. J. KING FOLDING TABLE Filed Feb. I2, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l www fw www July 3, 192s. I

' W. J. KING FOLDING TABLE Filed Feb. 12, 1925 2 Sheets-Shea?I 2 Patented July 3, 1928.

WILLIAM J'f. KING, 0F PORTLAND, MAINE, ASSIGNOR TO THE T. BURROWES COM--` PANY, F PORTLANDMAINE, CORIORATIGN' 0F MAINE.,

FOLDING TABLE. i

Application led February Thisinvention relates to improvements in light folding-tables of the "typecommonly employedv for card' playing fand like "pur-` posesythe invention `'more f particularly` having to do'wvithimproved legbracing means for such tables( 1o end With aleg and provided at its Lother end With a lateral `extension which has a` pivotal.

slidingfengagementwith aA guide groove in the top snpportingfframe, the brace, When the Vlegl is folded-Within the 'topf supporting cent side of the supporting frame. ject of thepresentfinvention-is to provide improved leg vbracing means of this general type in which accidental displacement of the brace endffrom engagement with the guide groove is preventedvvhile atthe same ytime permitting of theready disengagement or manual withdrawalfof the brace end from the guide groove for the :purpose .of adjust-a ing the springtension of the brace rodor for other purposes7 and '-Whereby" a more durable, eiicient `and satisfactory construc-l tion `is aifor'ded.`

The invention, with *otherfobjects and ad vantages thereof,and the" particular con* struction, combination andrarrangement of partsA comprising the same, ywill be under!` stood rfrom `the"hereinafter' contained `detail description, When considered `in connection i o with the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof and illustrating one .embodiment of the inventionf` v In the drawingsv Figure lis atop plan view of a tableeon` 4 structed lin accordance with the present invent-ion, the legsbeingv shown in folded po-'v` sition.

Fig-2 isa detail section,` on :an `enlarged scale, taken Von the line Q--Q of'Figure 6 lookingin the fdirect-ionof the arrows.`

Fig. 3 is a detail section, `on lline 3-3 of Figure @looking inthe ldirection of the arrows;

Fig. .4 is a detail transverseVV section of a leg anditsbrace, `the leg being Fig. 5 is a detail side elevation with `parts frameflying close -loetvventheleg` and adje-- The ob` part of the supporting frame \andtop,andfa -12, H1825. `Serial No. -8,766.`

shown `in section, the legnbeing showniin nearly closed or folded position.

Fig. 6 is a detail part section and plan,` the' leg'being shown in folded position.

The Vinvention contemplates leg bracing` means comprising a guide on the topsup-f porting frame providedwith ai longitudinal 0o groove extending inwardlyfrom one side? face thereof, and=an inner longitudinalre-iy taining channelextending V,at an angleto and adjoining said-groove, and a transverse ly resilient brace rod having Aawpivotalfcon# nection at one end with a leg, and havingat its otherend a lateralmextension provided Witha retainingoffset. end part or head, saidr lateral extension andioffset endpart or head slidably engaging respectively '1 `in said` 7o groove and channel, `and said guiderhaving` an opening leading laterally frornthe outer side of the guide to theretaining channel providing for the disengagement of the lateral extension and1ofsetendipart or head 76 from the groove and channel WhenA the leg -is moved to "bring said parts opposite. said. opening, the construction operating `to posi` tively holder retain the lateral extension of the bracein engagementwith theegroovel against 4accidental f displacement for :the major part of the opening and closingmove ments of the-leg While permitting Yof the i ready disengagement of the same manually;

therefrom. More particularlythe invention comprehends a construction of the character outlined, in which the lateral opening in the guide is located near one end thereofso that the offset end partor head of the later-allez;-A tension of the brace is disposed `opposite the opening in the guide Awhen the leg is moved to nearly closed position, the' #leg extending at an angle to the adjacent-,side `bar of the frameA so that the same does not interfere withl the grasping of the end of thebrace by the `fingers and `its movement laterally to dsengage the same' from andengage `the same with the groove and retaining channel;v While' a specific `embodiment of the `inventionisillustrated inthedrawings, Ait will 10o of courserbe understood that changes and obviousV modifications of the uparticular con` struction shown, and the embodiment of the invention in other forms, as will appeal to those skilled in the art, and fallingwvithin thescope of the appended claims, may he practiced without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to a detail description ol the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the top supporting iframev is shown square shape compo'ed of bars 1 suitably'secured together at their ends. 2 designates a relatively light thin top of paperboard or other suitable material, and' 3 is a cover of leather-ette, telt or like material stretched over t-he top 2 and having its marginal portions brought down over the sides otI the 'trame and held in place by the inishing strip t. 5 designates the legs pivotally connected to the support-ing i'rame at the corner portions thereoif to fold within the same along side the side bars 1, and 6 designates the braces for the legs, each brace being pivotally connected at one end to one of the legs and having a pivotal sliding' connection at its other end with one of t-he bars 1 otl the supporting Y frame. In the particular construction shown, the legs are pivotally mounted direct-ly against the inner sides ot the trame, and

the bars 1 of the i'rame are provided with longitudinally extending recesses 7 to accommodate the braces. In the mounting of the legs, brackets are employed, each bracket being shown in the form oit a metal strip having portions 8, 9, disposed at substantially right angles to each other, the portion 8 being rigidly secured flat against one oi the side bars 1 oi the trame, and the portion 9 extending in parallel spaced relation with an end port-ion of one of the bars. The legs are positioned between the portions 9 ot the brackets and t-he side bars 1 ol the 'tra-me, thepivotal connection being made by screws 10 passing through the bracket portions 9 and the end portions otI the legs 5, and entering t-he. bars 1 of the trame. 11 designates reinforcing strips, which are secured to the top 2 at the underside thereof in any desired way, for inst-ance by gluing. rlhe braces 6 each consist ot' a spring rod having an inwardly olfset portion 7a at one end pivotally connected with one or' the legs 5, and having an outwardly projecting portion 8 at its opposite end adapted to engage a guide groove on the top supporting frame.

In accordance with the present invention the top supporting frame is provided with guides fortlie leg braces 6, each guide hav-V ing a longitudinal Igroove 12 orthe lateral extension-8 of the brace, and an inner longitudinal retaining channel 13 extending at right angles to and adjoining said groove 12, and the lateral extensions 8 oitl the braces are each provided with a retaining shouldered or offset end part 14 to slidably engage in the inner longitudinal channel 13 of the guide and cooperate therewith to maintain the lateral extensions 8 ot the braces in engagelnent with the guide grooves 12. The

width ot the guide groove 13 ot a size sntlicient to permit of the ready withdrawal from and insertion of the retaining shoulder or otlset end portion 11 of the lateral extension 8 of the brace into the inner channel 13 through said opening in order to adjust the spring tension of the brace or 'for other purposes. The opening 15 of the guide is located near one end portion ot the same so that the shouldered or olfset end part 14 of the lateral extension 8 of the brace will occupy a position opposite the opening 15 when the leg 5 has been moved to nearly closed posit-ion, as illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings, and is disposed at an angle to t-he guide so that the 'same does not in terfere with the grasping ot' the'end ot the brace end by the lingers and the movement of the brace end laterally out oi or into engagement withtlie inner channel 13. In the particular exempliiication illustrated in the drawings, the lguides are formed by longitudina-l recesses 1G in the frame bars 1, and metal plates 17 secured to the trame bars 1 adjacent the recesses 16, said plates 17 projecting above the lower walls 16a of the recess 16 partially thereover and the upper edges of the plates 17 extending below the upper wall 16b ot' the recesses in spaced relation therewith. The retaining shouldered or offset end part 14 of each brace is conveniently lormed by recessing or slotting the lateral extension 8 at 8a at one side therco'tI intermediate its ends, as shown.

The inner channels 1 3 of the guides, near one end, are each provided .in the rear wall thereof with a recess 18 adapted to receive and retain the outer end oi the lateral projecting port-ion 8 of the bracewhen the leg is moved to its untolded position, the end of the outwardly projecting portion 8 springing into the recess 18 at the end ol'I the opening movement of the leg. The plates 17 extend well beyond the location ot the recess 18 along the inner channels 13, said plates 17 serving as stops to limit the outward movement of the lateral extensions 8 of the braces in disengaging the same from said recesses. y

rI`he braces, which are constructed ofl spring wire, and which may be slightly' bent or bowed, as shown, are so adjusted that, through their transverse resiliency, they function to hold the legs in folded position with the free end portions of the legs pressed against the outer ends of thercinforcing strips 11, and to hold the legs iirm and rigid when in open position, taking up any lost motion due to possible looseness in the connection of the legs to the supporting frame.

It will be noted that by the special construction and arrangelnent "of 'parts hemiif before described, leg bracing fineansffof *a of the opening and closing inovernents'of the legs, and, which at the same time` permits` of the ready disengagement or manual withdrawal' ofthe brace *end from the guide groove for the purpose of adjusting the spring tension of the brace rod or for other purposes. It will also be noted that the guide with the inner retaining 'channel not only functions as retaining means to maintain the brace end in engagement with the guide groove, but also to limit the outward movement of the brace end in disengaging the same from the retaining recess 18, the outer wall of the inner channel serving as a stop for this purpose.

Subject matter disclosed but not claimed in this applica-tion is claimed in my application Serial No. 537,008, filed February 16, 1922.

Vhat I claim is:

1. In a folding table, a top supportingv frame, a leg pivotedto the frame to fold within the same, said frame having a guide provided with a longitudinal groove extending inwardly from one side face thereof, and an inner longitudinal retaining channel eX- tending at an angle to and adjoining said groove, and a transversely resilient brace rod having a pivotal connection at one end with the leg, and having at its other end a lateral extension provided with aretaining offset end part, said lateral extension and offset end part slidably engaging respectively in the said groove and channel, and the guide having an opening leading laterally from the outer side of the guide to said vretaining channel providing for disengagementof the lateral extension and offset end part from the groove and channel, said opening being arranged so that said offset end part of the brace may be brought opposite t-he opening in the pivotal movement of the leg.

2. In a folding table, a top supporting frame, a leg pivoted to the frame to fold within the saine, said frame having a guide provided with a longitudinal groove extend ing inwardly from one side face thereof, and an inner longitudinal retaining channel extending at an angle to and adjoining said groove, and a transversely resilient brace rod having a pivotal connection at one end with the leg, and having at its other end a lateral extension provided with a retaining offset end part, said lateral extension and retaining oii'set end parts` slidably engaging respectively in said groove and channel, the guide at one end portion'thereof having an opening leading' laterally from the outer side of the guide to the retaining channel providinglfort the ldisengagement of the lateral extensioirf"fand` "offset end f partfrom the groove" and Lchan-nel when the leg is moved to hearlyiclosed-positiontobring the offset end "part opposite said opening.`

3. In* foldingtableya top "supporting frame,"a legrpivotedfto the lframe -to fold" within the same, saidframefh-aving a guide providedwith a longitudinalgroove extend-f ing inwardly* from one-side face thereof, and l an inner longitudinal retaining channel eX- tending at an angle to and adjoining said groove, and a transversely resilient brace rod having a pivotal connection at one end with the leg, and having at its other end a lateral extension provided with a retaining offset end part, said lateral extension and offset end part slidably engaging respectively in the said groove and channel, the guide having an opening leading laterally from the outer side of the guide to the retaining channel providing for the disengagement of the lateral extension and offset end part from the groove and channel, said opening being arranged so that said offset end part of the b 'ace may be brought opposite t e opening in the pivotal movement of the leg, and said guide having a recess in the rear wall of said interior channel near one end thereof to receive and retain the outer end of the lateral extension of the brace when the leg is moved to unfolded position. Y

4. In a folding table, a top support-ing frame comprising a plurality of bars secured together at their ends, a leg pivoted to the frame to fold within the saine, each of said frame bars being provided with a longitudinally extending recess in its inner side, a plate secured to the frame bar adjacent said recess to extend longitudinally along the same, said plate projecting above the lower wall of the recess with its upper edge extending below the upper Wall of said l recess providing a guide groove, and a retaining channel at the inner side of the guide groove, and a transversely resilient brace rod having a `pivotal connection at one end with the leg, and having at its other end a lateral extension provided with a retaining ofi'- set end part, said lateral extension and offset end part of the brace slidably engaging respectively in the said groove and channel, said plate extending along the recess for the major portion of the length thereof but terminating short of one end of the recess providing for the disengagement of the lateral extension and offset end part from the groove and channel when the leg is moved to nearly` closed position to bring said parts beyond the end of said plate.

5. In a folding table, a supporting fra-me, a leg pivoted to the frame to fold within the same, said frame having a bar provided with a longitudinally extending groove in one side thereof, a plate secured to the side of iu length thereof and terminating short of one end of the groove providing for the disengagement of the lateral extension and its re taining shoulder portion from the groove when the leg is inoved to nearly closed posi tion to bring said portions beyond the end of said plate.

In testimony whereof I hereunto allix iny signature.

VILLIAM J. KING. 

